• InNews
  • October 13, 2011

November 2008

 

For the fourth consecutive year, Din l-Art Helwa, recently announced this year’s awards to those journalists and publications that most raised awareness on the issues and status of the island’s built and natural heritage. In the presence of President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, Din l-Art Helwa awarded two Prix d’Honneur prizes:

The Prix d’Honneur for Natural Heritage Journalism went to Alan Deidun for his courageous commitment to campaigning journalism on the environment and specifically for his article in the The Sunday Times entitled “ Creatures of the Deep” which treated the plight of turtles in the Mediterranean.

 

The Prix d’Honneur for Built Heritage Journalism was given to Alberto Miceli Farrugia and John Borg Barthet for their excellent series of articles in the Kamra tal-Periti publication, ‘The Urban Challenge’. This publication also went on to win the prestigious overall best award of the Silver Medal Trophy. A Special Diploma this year went to Lino Bugeja for his worthy series of articles on Vittoriosa’s Maritime Heritage. In the words of the judges: “The articles submitted by Alberto Miceli Farrugia and John Borg Barthet in ‘The Urban Challenge’ set out constructively, objectively, clearly and in an extremely knowledgeable and well-researched manner the magnitude of the challenges confronting Malta’s built cultural heritage. In articles dealing soberly and comprehensively with quality in architectural design, heritage preservation and the re-focussing of Malta’s construction development, they set out an outstanding vision of how Malta’s built cultural heritage – which has been under such sustained pressure for so long from seemingly unrestrained development – could be safeguarded by a clear national commitment to quality in architecture and the built environment.”

 

In his closing remarks, President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, thanked Din l-Art Helwa for their continued encouragement in this important field and underlined the need to ensure that a free press continued to draw attention to the contribution made by Malta’s built and natural heritage to our history, culture and quality of life, and the vital need to safeguard it.